What do a Missouri congressman’s astonishingly misinformed comments on rape and pregnancy have to do with a Massachusetts Senate race between two pro-abortion rights candidates? If you’ve been listening to Elizabeth Warren and Scott Brown this week, you’d think quite a lot.

Brown was among the first Republicans to call on Todd Akin to withdraw from his pivotal Missouri Senate race after Akin said women don’t get pregnant from “legitimate rape.” (He’s since apologized.) Brown followed that up with a public letter to national Republican chairman Reince Preibus (rhymes with “Jebus“) urging the GOP “to recognize in its platform that you can be pro-choice and still be a good Republican.” It was a smart move considering what Brown probably knew was coming.

On Wednesday, Warren’s campaign released a radio ad tying Akin’s position to the Republican party as a whole. “It’s not just one extreme candidate in Missouri,” the narrator says. “It’s part of a Republican pattern.” The ad is itself part of a pattern: Warren is desperately trying to rally Massachusetts Democrats by nationalizing the race.

On the campaign trail, Warren often lays out the stakes of her election in terms of the country’s direction–it could determine control of the Senate and the next Supreme Court–without mentioning her opponent. (Brown is not referenced in the above radio ad.) A quick look at the latest poll out of Massachusetts illustrates the urgency of her task.

In short, Warren has a base problem. A Public Policy Polling survey released Tuesday found that 20% of Massachusetts Democrats are backing Brown. Some crossover is to be expected in a blue state where the GOP voting bloc is dwarfed by independents and Democrats. But Brown’s ability to siphon significant Democratic support poses a real threat to Warren’s candidacy.

Brown, a career legislator and newly promoted Colonel in the National Guard, has a lot of raw appeal in Massachusetts, a heavily Catholic state that’s never sent a woman to the U.S. Senate. But that’s not the only reason he may survive in hostile territory. PPP found that 24% of voters who’d like to see Democrats hold the Senate in November aren’t backing Warren. In other words, voters loyal to the national Democratic Party do not necessarily feel that same loyalty toward Warren, nor do they strongly associate Brown with national Republicans. Here’s pollster Tom Jensen explaining the numbers on Brown:

Massachusetts voters see the GOP as a whole as being extreme- 56% think it’s too conservative to only 27% who consider it to be ‘about right.’ But they don’t feel that way about Brown- just 30% think he’s too conservative to 54% who believe he’s ‘about right’ ideologically. 30% of voters who think Brown’s too conservative is less than the 41% who think that Warren is too liberal. Additionally 49% regard Brown more as someone who has been ‘an independent voice for Massachusetts’ compared to 38% who feel he’s been more a ‘partisan voice for the national Republican Party.’

That’s why PPP has Brown leading by five points. And though other recent polls have showed the race tied, it’s also why Brown is playing prevent defense on the Akin affair.

Republicans Romney Ask " Where are the JOBS????????????????...>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Scott Brown Supported Of American Job OutSourcings <<<<<<<<<<<that means="">>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Voted No On ( Made In U.S.A ) <<<<<<<<<<<<<< </that>

Being from western MA I can confidently say that the issue is integrity and honesty. We have seen absolute evidence that Warren has neither. A persons integrity still counts. that is why Brown ill win. Independants do not want to side with dishonesty.

Just wondering, does the Warren Cherokee profile have anything to do with the polling? Noooooo, Democrats are expected to be liars, that cannot have anything to do with it! Reality is just a construct of those EVIL Republicans. Geez leftists really do live in an alternate reality of their own choosing.

Obama is ignorant of science because he attended law school. How can he say that Akin missed the science class? Akin is scientifically correct. There is scientific evidence that rape victims can turn back the sperm if they put their mind and muscles to block it. There are also psychological conditions to intercept the sperm. If the rape victim is uptight, frightened, and resisting by twisting at the time of intercourse, the sperm deposited in the vagina is less likely to be able to fertilize. The tubes become spastic and the sperm may lose its route.

Brown's urging the GOP “to recognize in its platform that you can be pro-choice and still be a good Republican.” is surprising. Do GOP Republican voters accept this? Or d they see this as an example of Brown pandering to the left? Isn't it risky for Brown to deviate from normal policy? Read more: http://swampland.time.com/2012...

Scott Brown has enjoyed "populist" appeal by appearing to be a populist.He emphasizes his "hard work" and overcoming difficulty like a true American rugged individualist.He has contempt for welfare recipients receiving ballots.His comments on this are very divisive.

His anger and misogyny are showing since Warren raised some legitimate comments re him.

"Civility", in Brown's book,means he can criticize his opponents and mislead voters but Warren had better shut up.

The truth is that Brown is a Repub who votes with Repubs exept on rare occasions and only when the vote will not count.

He is clearly in the pockets of the economic elite and has voted against bills that woulsd provide jobs and fair pay.

He supports the Romney-Ryan ticket and said he welcomes Ryan's budget plan.He disagrees with some parts of it but will not say which parts.In other words he wants to have his cake and eat it too i.e to be a Repub but say he's really bi-partisan and "populist" After all, he wears a barn jacket and drives a pickip truck.

OT, but I'm getting ready to go to work. I went upstairs a couple of minutes ago and leaned over to give my wife a kiss. She said I smelled good. I'm going to skip my shower and just brush my teeth before I head out. Like grandma used to say, "Wash only when you're dirty and then only where.". Grandma was crazy. Fun, but crazy.

If you believe that a baby that results from a rape is a precious gift from god, and therefore it must be protected... then you likely believe that god has a plan for the universe and that baby was part of his plan.... Then you have to face the fact that the rapist was therefore part of god's plan, so why should the rapist be punished, as he was only carrying out god's plan.

This is of course completely ridiculous and demonstrates the idiocy of the far right, and the christian fundamentalists.

The good news is that those folks are are a declining minority, and there's reason to be optimistic that our country will become more enlightened and open minded in the coming generations. Visit almost any college campus and you will see very little of intolerant and idiotic far right wing nuts.

To LIBERALLIAR!! Scalia is corrupt. His hatred of Obama is barely concealed, and among the Justices, he and Alito are the most Well known ACTIVIST JUDGES on the bench.

In 2000, Ted Olson who represented G.W. Bush in (Bush v. Gore) was a Law Partner in the firm that included EUGENE Scalia, Antonin Scalia's son. When this became the subject of debate after the Justice's fiery position in the case, that the counting should be stopped, he argued that his son's relationship with Olson was irrelevant. Many in the legal community, me included, disagreed. He should have recused himself.

In addition, he flew around in Airforce Two frequently, and yet refused to recuse himself from cases involving his good friend, golf and hunting buddy, Cheney. Cheney, whom he put into office.

Worse still, there is a document in the Supreme Court, believed to have been championed by Scalia, which permits their children that are lawyers to appear before them. Eugene, I believe is representing Walmart in a case and is appearing before hos father, Antonin.

Justice Thomas' wife is a Tea Bagger, Roberts and Alito have been spotted attending Conservative fund raising events. When Citizens United was being debated, despite the chatter in the media, many of us in the legal community believed that corporations would get unlimited power, and that the case would be decided in favor of the corporations. Why? Well, because of the rabid vitriol that Scalia spews with relish on Barack Obama.

You know there are books written by folks who have worked closely with, or know the Nine. These men jump out in their Judgments. From Scalia's acts, he does not think he should adhere to the most rudimentary of professional ethics, and does whatsoever he chooses.

Okay, this is for Liberalliar aka Nut job who says that Scalia is not Corrupt.

In 2000, Ted Olson who argues for G.W. Bush in the Gore v. Bush case was a LAW PARTNER OF EUGENE SCALIA. Yes, at the time many legal scholars thought that it was unethical. However, Scalia railed at the legal community even though based on information that was later shared, Scalia was the FIRST JUSTICE to state that the counting should stop. Let me repeat the Supreme Court is the 3rd political party and Justice Scalia is corrupt.

At this time, the Supreme Court has some document, following the Scalia problem, allowing their children (who are practicing lawyers) to appear before them. Again, started with Scalia, promoted by him.

There is no JUSTICE in the positions Scalia has taken in many issues regarding liberals, especially his unbridled and persistent excoriation of President Obama. The rumor in the legal community before the Citizens United Ruling, despite the chatter among the media pundits, was that the corporations would be allowed to donate as much as they wanted under the guise of speech. Why did we think that case would unleash corporate fury on America? Two reasons, Scalia, Scalia and a third reason, Thomas. Thomas' wife is a Tea party organizer, and Alito openly attends Conservative Fund raisers.

Scalia and his daughter flew on Airforce TWO, OFTEN even while he as hearing the CASE INVOLVING HIS DEAR FRIEND, DICK CHENEY.

Today, we teeter on the verge of becoming a full blown plutocracy, thanks to ACTIVIST JUDGES, who display a total disregard for the office of the President of the United States of America, and who think their job is to promote some Far Right Conservative Agenda. Scalia is CORRUPT, and his record shows that he is. Just as Thomas is NUTS, and Sandra Day 'O Connor was strange.

You know, there are books on the Nine, written by people who have worked with them. Their reputation is evidenced in their judgments and behavior.

Oh wait... its you the but job 73year old vet who rails against Obama in a most infantile manner. Are you one of those who believe the Mormon White horse prophesy and shake in the presence of the Mother God and Father God, and the mini god Romney-yes, according to Mormon beliefs, he has his planet waiting, that Romney is the embodiment of that prophesy??? HE IS NOT!! And all those prophesies are nuts.

You are supporting Romney who roasted our economy in MA, despite his bogus claims about being an economic Juggernaut since he had Bain venture capitalist experience!!

Despite the evidence that he is an inferior and incompetent public servant and would be one of the worst presidents ever, you continue to support him irrationally over Obama who saved this country from the brink of near economic decimation.

Obama has provided the jobs bill in many forms to Congress, and they have rejected ALL of the bills. These Far Right members of congress aka Conservative heretics (who have hijacked the Conservative movement) are more concerned about making sure that Obama is a one term president- than attempting to alleviate the economic and other difficulties being experienced by their constituents.

As for those of you who are waiting on the Mormon deliverer... that is crazy. I am an Evangelical Christian, and we know all that White horse Mormon prophesy about the redeemer Romney stuff is NUTS.

Romney is NOT the anti-Christ, but he is no White horse deliverer of the Constitution of the USA, as declared by many adherents and awed believers of all that superstitious hysteria.

Warren is correct. The Republican party would deny abortions to a woman who was pregnant as a result of a rape. It get worse!!!

Here is a link to a case of REAL injustice associated with rape. For a Republican Party to advocate a denial of abortion to a woman who has been raped ....but to allow rapists to claim parental rights to the child resulting from the rape takes that Republican Party to the lowest levels of human behaviour:

I do not understand why the press is buying the Republican pre-prepared response, that Ryan is now under Romney so his past record and opinions do not matter? This Veep hopeful is one heartbeat away from the office of president, and his opinions and records matter. His character matters!!

Cheney, Rumsfeld and their band of war mongering old angry"never have fought in a war but love it" hijacked G.W.'s presidency, and are largely responsible for the problems we are forced to endure today. We forget that Cheney and Rumsfeld, with the help and support of Powell, thrust us into 2 insane wars that emptied our coffers, and created the greatest deficit in recent time. Cheney was veep, and he had a plan, Bush did not. This Romney/Ryan team seems so familiar and terrible. So Cheney/Bush like, it is almost surreal.

To make matters worse, Ryan is old wine in new skin. He was a Bush era Congressman who helped him in the failed bid to privatize Social Security. Can you imagine what would have happened to the elderly if Ryan had succeeded in his bid to privatize Social Security-- especially since the entire Stock Market crashed in 2008. Those Seniors would have been homeless, old and wretched.

Now Ryan is again positioned in a position of influence, positioned at the cusp of the office of Veep, and the Republicans dare to state that his former positions do not matter? What a load of nonsense!! What an insult to our intelligence.

Character matters, at least that was what Rove said when was asked about the attacks on McCain and the fabricated tale about his out of wedlock Black child from a Black prostitute, fabricated by Rove (it is suspected) during the period that McCain was in a primary that involved G.W.

Character matters. Ryan's character matters, and from his past record, his character STINKS. He reads like a misogynist LOON.

For those who have no idea, this is progressive thought. The current Democratic party is weak kneed, not even left - let alone far left. Note where he points out what is the law. I'd also like to keep the part of my taxes that enables Antonin Scalia.